Module and Programme Catalogue

Search site

Find information on

2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED3502 The Responsibility to Protect and to Prosecute

20 creditsClass Size: 75

Module manager: Dr Adrian Gallagher
Email: a.gallagher@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module focuses on the Responsibility to Protect agreement which was unanimously endorsed at the United Nations in 2005. It sets out a responsibility to protect people the world over from genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. Since then, the United Nations has invoked the Responsibility to Protect in over 50 UN Security Council Resolutions as it engages with mass violence in countries such as Iraq, Libya, Syria, Central African Republic, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of Congo - to name just a few. The increase in mass violence around the world raises critical questions for the Responsibility to Protect and the United Nations. Amidst this reality, experts and policymakers remain divided over whether the Responsibility to Protect is a helpful or harmful agreement. The teachers on this module are part of the European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect which was launched at the University of Leeds in December 2016. They introduce students to cutting edge research, guest speakers, a student coalition on the Responsibility to Protect and offer the chance to publish their essay in the student coalition's on-line journal.

Objectives

This module aims to provide students with an advanced knowledge of the contemporary debates that surround the Responsibility to Protect. In so doing, it will provide students with an in-depth understanding of the issues that surround prevention and prosecution through a focus on case studies, the emergence of the R2P as a norm

Learning outcomes
• Demonstrate appropriate cognitive, communicative, and transferable skills including an ability to evaluate advanced concepts, to employ primary and secondary sources, to present reasoned and effective arguments in written and oral form, to pursue independent learning and to show critical judgement
• Understand key concepts such as legitimacy, international law, sovereignty, and humanitarian intervention.
• Demonstrate an ability to compare and contrast different case studies of mass atrocity crimes


Syllabus

1. A History of Mass Violence
2. What is the Right to Protect?
3. Debating R2P. Academic Debates
4. Debating R2P. State Debates
5. The Responsibility to Protect: Prevention
6. The Responsibility to Protect: International Assistance
7. Coercive and Non-coercive measures: Libya
8. Assessment Preparation Week. One Lecture. No Seminars.
9. The Death of Responsibility to Protect? Syria
10. The Forgotten Responsibility. Rebuild.
11. Conclusion: The Future of R2P

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture111.0011.00
Seminar111.0011.00
Private study hours178.00
Total Contact hours22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Students are required to do a considerable amount of reading, be able to respond in an appropriate manner to the material and engage in class discussions.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Submit a 1000 word essay plan including introduction to the Module Leader who will provide feedback to students within 1 week.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay1 x4,000 word essay - end of semester100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

1,000 word formative piece (non Assessed)

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 22/01/2018

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD

© Copyright Leeds 2019